Cigar moistening devices and methods

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a moistening device for a smoking unit, comprising: a body defining a housing sized to receive the smoking unit; a gas source tank having a sealable inlet, the gas source tank fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas; a heating element operable on the gas source tank; and a power unit operably connectible to the heating element. The gas source tank can be fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas via at least one hole that restricts passage of liquid. A method is provided for moistening a smoking unit, the method comprising: retaining the smoking unit in an enclosed housing; generating gas in the housing from an attached liquid source; and restricting liquid flow from the attached liquid source to the housing.

FIELD

The specification generally relates to smoking apparatuses and methodsand, in particular, to moistening a smoking unit.

BACKGROUND

Cigars can be rolled to include substances such as dried tobacco leaves.A cigar can include a wrapper rolled around a binder, which in turn canbe rolled around filler, such as dried tobacco leaves. When consumerspurchase cigars, such as Backwoods brand cigars, the product can arrivedry and may need to be discarded, costing consumers money.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a moistening device fora smoking unit, including: a body defining a housing sized to receivethe smoking unit; a gas source tank having a sealable inlet, the gassource tank fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gas; aheating element operable on the gas source tank; and a power unitoperably connectible to the heating element.

In some embodiments, the power unit is operably connectible to theheating element by a connector

In some embodiments, the power unit includes: a circuit board powered bya power source; and an actuation component for operating the power unit.

In some embodiments, the gas source tank is fluidly connectible to thehousing via a gas release nozzle that restricts passage of liquid.

In some embodiments, the gas source tank is fluidly connectible to thehousing for passage of gas via at least one hole that restricts passageof liquid.

In some embodiments, the housing includes: a channel having a channelopening sized to receive a smoking unit; and a porous lining surroundingat least a portion of the channel.

In some embodiments, the housing further includes: a plate positionedproximate the channel and opposite to the channel opening, the platehaving at least one hole, the gas source tank fluidly connectible to thehousing for passage of gas via the at least one hole.

In some embodiments, the gas source tank is attachable to the housingvia threaded bushing.

In some embodiments, the gas source tank includes a gas nozzleattachable to a housing connector of the housing, and the gas sourcetank attachable to the housing via threaded bushing.

In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a gasketlocatable between the gas source tank and the housing.

In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a gasketlocatable between the gas source tank and the power unit.

In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a capattachable to the body to close an opening of the housing, the openingsized to receive the smoking unit.

In some embodiments, the moistening device further includes a gasketlocatable between the cap and the body.

In some embodiments, the heating element further includes heat-reductionmaterial operable at an outer surface of the heating element.

In some embodiments, the heating element includes a coil located withinthe gas source tank.

In accordance with an aspect, there is provided a method for moisteninga smoking unit, the method including: retaining the smoking unit in anenclosed housing; generating gas in the housing from an attached liquidsource; and restricting liquid flow from the attached liquid source tothe housing.

In some embodiments, the method further includes facilitating gas flowalong the length of the housing through a mesh.

In some embodiments, the method further includes creating a waterproofseal between the attached liquid source and the housing.

In some embodiments, the generating is by heating the attached liquidsource and forcing the gas to the housing through at least one hole.

In some embodiments, the method further includes providing control ofthe generating by a power unit.

In some embodiments, there is provided a device for a moistening devicefor Backwoods style cigars. The device comprises a housing unit with aninner cylindrical mesh lined housing unit that includes a fillable gassource tank with a heating element; a plate for a cigar to rest on;pinholes to release gas; a nozzle to release gas from the gas sourcetank and heating element into the housing unit; a button to turn thedevice on and off with a safety cap; battery housing for a 2032 batterywith a safety cap; a circuit board with a connection from the battery tothe actuation component; threaded bushing to the heating element; aninlet connector from the heating element to the power control; and a capwith a waterproof seal.

Other aspects and features and combinations thereof concerningembodiments described herein will become apparent to those ordinarilyskilled in the art upon review of the instant disclosure of embodimentsin conjunction with the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The principles of the invention may better be understood with referenceto the accompanying figures provided by way of illustration of anexemplary embodiment, or embodiments, incorporating principles andaspects of the present invention, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a moistening device with a housingunit, a gas source tank with heating element, and a power unit,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a housing unit sealed with a cap,according to some embodiments

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an inner mesh lined cylinder for amoistening device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 4 is an angled front perspective view of a water heating elementand gas source tank cylinder for a moistening device, according to someembodiments;

FIG. 5 is an angled front perspective view of a power unit with on/offbutton, battery housing unit, and circuit board cylinder for amoistening device, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a moistening device, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a moistening device, according tosome embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a perspective and cross-sectional view of a moistening device,according to some embodiments;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a moistening device, according to someembodiments; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a moistening device, according to someembodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The description that follows, and the embodiments described therein, areprovided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, ofparticular embodiments. These examples are provided for the purposes ofexplanation, and not of limitation. In the description, like parts aremarked throughout the specification and the drawings with the samerespective reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scaleand in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated in ordermore clearly to depict certain features.

According to some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 7 , amoistening device comprises a body 100 having a housing 140; a gassource tank 160; and a power unit 130. For example, moistening devicecan be a Backwood steamer. Housing 140 is included in body 100. Forexample, as shown, housing 140 is a space defined within housing 140 andcan be a channel sized and dimensioned to accommodate a desired smokingunit such as a cigar. Housing 140 connects to gas source tank 160. Forexample, in some embodiments, body 100 connects to gas source tank 160through connector 152 and threaded bushing 155, and housing 140 is influid connection with gas source tank 160 via gas nozzle 150. In someembodiments, gas source tank is fluidly connectible to housing 140 forpassage of gas. In some embodiments, the passage of gas is via a gasrelease nozzle that restricts passage of liquid and/or via at least onehole that restricts passage of liquid. In some embodiments, housing isin fluid connection with gas source tank 160 via at least one hole. Thehousing 140 can include an opening through which the smoking unit can bereceived into the housing 140. In some embodiments, housing 140 isattachable to a cap that is attachable to body 100 to close the openingof housing 140. Housing 140 can be enclosed by blocking the opening. Insome embodiments, body 100 includes at least one gas outlet for allowgas to exit housing 140 at a desired rate, such as to allow a smokingunit retained in housing 140 to be sufficiently moistened, whileallowing additional gas to enter housing 140 from gas source tank 160. Agas outlet can be located at or near a cap attachable to body 100 thatcloses the opening of housing 140, such in the example embodiment shownin FIG. 8 . The release of gas from gas outlet can be controlled by thepower unit 130.

Heating element 170 is operable on gas source tank 160. In someembodiments, gas source tank 160 includes a sealable inlet. The sealableinlet can be an opening that can be sealed with a cap, for example. Asanother example, in some embodiments, the sealable inlet is a componentthrough which liquid can be received into gas source tank 160. Forexample, the sealable inlet can be a component that reveals an openingupon applicable of a suitable pressure. The sealable opening can besealed by a cap 165 for a user to open and close gas source tank 160 forfilling with material. For example, gas source tank 160 can be filledwith water. As an example, heating element 170 can be operable on gassource tank 160 by being proximate gas source tank 160. As an example,heating element 170 can be operable on gas source tank 160 by beingincluded with gas source tank 160. In some embodiments, for example,heating element 170 is located within gas source tank 160. Heatingelement 170 can be operable on gas source tank 160 by being close enoughto allow heating element 170 to heat contents of gas source tank 160 toallow the contents to be converted to gas (e.g., steam). For example,heating element 170 can be located beneath gas source tank 160.

In some embodiments, gas source tank 160 connects to power unit 130 byconnector 190. Connector 190 can be an inlet connector, for example.Power unit 130 comprises a actuation component 175, a circuit board 180,and a battery engagement unit 185, such as for a 2032 battery. Batteryengagement unit 185 can be a housing. In some embodiments, power unit130 comprises a circuit board powered by a power source such as abattery or AC power. In some embodiments, the actuation component 175 isa power button or switch for operating the power unit. For example, auser can engage with the actuation component 175 and turn the power uniton or off to start or stop heating of the gas source tank 160 contentsby heating element 170.

According to some embodiments as shown in FIG. 3 , a housing 140includes porous lining 145, a channel, plate 210, and at least one hole215. Housing 140 includes an opening at an end of the channel forinsertion of a smoking unit such as a cigar. When inserted, the smokingunit can be retained within housing 140 in the channel, and porouslining 145 can surround at least a portion of the smoking unit. Porouslining 145 can be offset from the smoking unit and define a spacebetween porous lining 145 and the portion of housing 140 where thesmoking unit is retained. Porous lining 145 can be a mesh lining, forexample. Porous lining 145 can be a lining with openings allowing gas toenter housing 140. Such openings can be small or can be large as in amesh, for example. In some embodiments, porous lining 145 surrounds atleast a portion of the channel by defining a perimeter of the channel.

In some embodiments, the channel is a space in which a smoking unit canbe located. Channel can be sized and dimensioned to accommodate same,depending on the smoking unit. For example, in some embodiments, a usercan insert a smoking unit entirely into the channel of housing 140, andporous lining 145 surrounds the smoking unit while the smoking unit isretained in the channel. The smoking unit then rests on plate 210 ofhousing 140 upon insertion into the channel, for example. Plate 210 hasat least one hole 215 fluidly connectible to the gas source tank 160,according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the at least onehole 215 is a set of multiple pin holes. In some embodiments, plate 210is omitted, and the at least one hole 215 is located between gas sourcetank 160 and housing 140. Gas source tank 160 is fluidly connectible tohousing 140 for passage of gas via the at least one hole, according tosome embodiments. One or more or each hole can be configured to preventpassage of water from gas source tank 160 to housing 140, while allowingpassage of gas in the same direction or in both directions. In someembodiments, gas nozzle 150 is included and configured to preventpassage of water from gas source tank 160 to housing 140, while allowingpassage of gas in the same direction or in both directions.

In some embodiments, housing 140 can be 0.5 inches (width) by 6 inches(length), and the channel can be 0.5 inches (width) by 4 inches(length). Other dimensions can be used. A smoking unit can rest on plate210 while the smoking unit is inside the housing 140, according to someembodiments. The at least one hole 215 allows gas to enter housing 140from gas source tank 160. In some embodiments, gas enters through gasnozzle 150 and/or at least one hole 215, and gas nozzle 150 restrictsliquid from passing through when the device is attached to gas sourcetank 160. In some embodiments, at least one hole 215 can restrictpassage of liquid through when the device is attached to gas source tank160. Housing 140 attaches to gas source tank 160 through connector 152and threaded bushing 155, in some embodiments. Porous lining 145surrounds the smoking unit retained in the channel and allows movementof gas around the smoking unit. Plate 210 can be 0.5 inches in diameter.Other dimensions can be used.

According to some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4 , a gas source tank 160comprises a gas nozzle 150; a cap 165 to cover an opening through whichgas source tank 160 can be filled and closed; a heating element 170 toheat the gas source tank 160's contents (e.g., water) to produce gas;and a connector 190 to connect gas source tank 160 to power unit 130. Insome embodiments, threaded bushing 155 is included for connection tohousing 140. In some embodiments, gas nozzle 150 connects with aconnector 152 of housing 140. In some embodiments, other forms ofconnection mechanisms can be used instead of or in addition to gasnozzle 150, connector 152, and/or threaded bushing 155.

In some embodiments, a gasket 195 is included to provide a waterproofseal when connected to power unit 130. A coil-shaped portion of heatingelement 170 can be inside gas source tank 160 and can heat contents(e.g., water) inside the gas source tank 160. Heating element 170 can becovered by heat-reduction material, such as thermo or heat-proof orother heat-reduction material. The heat-reduction material can beoperable at an outer surface of the heating element. For example, theheat-reduction material can be located at the outer surface. This canallow a user to hold onto the device at heating element 170 withoutbeing burned. Heating element 170 can attach to a seal at each endconnected to power unit 130 or body 100.

According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , power unit 130 includesactuation component 175 (which can have a safety cap), circuit board180, battery housing unit 185, and inlet connector 190. Battery housingunit 185 can hold one 2032 battery, for example. Battery housing unit185 connects to actuation component 175 and circuit board 180 through aconnector 220. Power unit 130 connects to heating element 170 for gassource tank 160 through an inlet 190. A waterproof seal is createdbetween power unit 130 and gas source tank 160 with gasket 225. Batterycap 187 can cover the battery in battery housing unit 185.

In some embodiments, power unit 130 includes actuation component 175,circuit board 180, and a power source. The power source can be aconnection to AC power. The power source can allow the moistening deviceto be powered by an external plug-in power, for example. In someembodiments, the power source is battery housing unit 185. The powersource is operable to provide power to power unit 130 to allow powerunit 130 to heat heating element 170 to produce gas from gas source tank160, and such actuation can be controlled by a user engagement withpower unit 130, such as via one or more actuation components 175. Forexample, a user can turn on/off the heating element 170 and/or set atimer or duration of actuation, according to some embodiments. In someembodiments, power unit 130 has displays and/or indicators actuated bycircuit board 180, where such displays and/or indicators denote statusor other information. Examples include denoting that the device isready, water boiling is in progress, steaming is in progress, and/ordevice is charging. This can be depicted via different colouring of thesame display (e.g., LED indicator), such as shown in the exampleembodiment in FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, power unit 130 includes aUSB charging port for charging a battery included in the power unit 130,such as in battery housing unit 185.

According to an embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the moistening deviceincludes a cap 200 with rubber seal 205 to provide a waterproof orairtight seal when attaching to body 100.

In some embodiments, moistening device includes a DC immersion heater,lithium polymer battery power source, and PT100 temperature sensor; hasa voltage rating of 12V DC and a power rating of 50 W; uses a batterycharging circuit, an Atmega32 microcontroller, a MOSFET elementswitching circuit; does not use an AC to DC converter; and has a heatingelement dimension of 20 mm by 3 mm. In some embodiments, moisteningdevice includes an AC immersion heater, plug-in AC power source, andPT100 temperature sensor; has a voltage rating of 120V AC and powerrating of 80 W or 150 W; does not use a battery charging circuit; usesan Atmel microcontroller, a relay element switching circuit, and a AC toDC converter; and has a heating element dimension of 40 mm by 8 mm or 50mm by 12 mm. In various embodiments, different combinations of thesefeatures can be included in a single device. In some embodiments,moistening devices does not include DC components and instead isoperable using AC-enabled components.

FIG. 8 shows a perspective and cross-sectional view of an examplemoistening device, according to some embodiments. As shown, themoistening device includes a cap (shown as a top cap) connectible to ahousing (shown as a steam chamber) that is sized and dimensioned to holda cigar (e.g., a Backwoods cigar that is 0.5 inches by 4 inches). A lidgasket is positioned between the cap and the housing, and a reservoirgasket is positioned between an opposite end of the housing and a gassource tank (shown as a water reservoir). A power unit is locatedbeneath the gas source tank and includes an actuation component (shownas a control button), as well as a display (shown as an LED indicator)and USB charging port with a dust cover. The cap includes at least onegas outlet (shown as a steam release). The gas outlet can be openedautomatically by a circuit board and/or controller and/or processorlocated within power unit, for example. A processor and/or circuit boardis configured to control duration and actuation of generation of gasand/or moistening of the contents of housing 140, according to someembodiments. This can include control of gas release through gas outlet.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of various example moistening devices,according to some embodiments. Various materials and colour designs canbe used. Materials can be selected for anti-rust or durability, forexample.

FIG. 10 shows various example dimensions of an example moisteningdevice, according to some embodiments. Other sizes and dimensions can beused in other embodiments.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in detail.Since changes in and or additions may be made, the specification is notto be limited to those details.

What is claimed is:
 1. A moistening device for a smoking unit,comprising: a body defining a housing sized to receive the smoking unit;a gas source tank having a sealable inlet, the gas source tank fluidlyconnectible to the housing for passage of gas; a heating elementoperable on the gas source tank; and a power unit operably connectibleto the heating element.
 2. The moistening device of claim 1, the powerunit operably connectible to the heating element by a connector.
 3. Themoistening device of claim 1, the power unit comprising: a circuit boardpowered by a power source; and an actuation component for operating thepower unit.
 4. The moistening device of claim 1, the gas source tankfluidly connectible to the housing via a gas release nozzle thatrestricts passage of liquid.
 5. The moistening device of claim 1, thegas source tank fluidly connectible to the housing for passage of gasvia at least one hole that restricts passage of liquid.
 6. Themoistening device of claim 1, the housing comprising: a channel having achannel opening sized to receive a smoking unit; and a porous liningsurrounding at least a portion of the channel.
 7. The moistening deviceof claim 6, the housing further comprising: a plate positioned proximatethe channel and opposite to the channel opening, the plate having atleast one hole, the gas source tank fluidly connectible to the housingfor passage of gas via the at least one hole.
 8. The moistening deviceof claim 1, the gas source tank attachable to the housing via threadedbushing.
 9. The moistening device of claim 1, the gas source tankcomprising a gas nozzle attachable to a housing connector of thehousing, and the gas source tank attachable to the housing via threadedbushing.
 10. The moistening device of claim 1, further comprising agasket locatable between the gas source tank and the housing.
 11. Themoistening device of claim 1, further comprising a gasket locatablebetween the gas source tank and the power unit.
 12. The moisteningdevice of claim 1, further comprising a cap attachable to the body toclose an opening of the housing, the opening sized to receive thesmoking unit.
 13. The moistening device of claim 12, further comprisinga gasket locatable between the cap and the body.
 14. The moisteningdevice of claim 1, the heating element further comprising heat-reductionmaterial operable at an outer surface of the heating element.
 15. Themoistening device of claim 1, the heating element comprising a coillocated within the gas source tank.
 16. A method for moistening asmoking unit, the method comprising: retaining the smoking unit in anenclosed housing; generating gas in the housing from an attached liquidsource; and restricting liquid flow from the attached liquid source tothe housing.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising facilitatinggas flow along the length of the housing through a mesh.
 18. The methodof claim 16, further comprising creating a waterproof seal between theattached liquid source and the housing.
 19. The method of claim 16, thegenerating being by heating the attached liquid source and forcing thegas to the housing through at least one hole.
 20. The method of claim16, further comprising providing control of the generating by a powerunit.